Drafting apron cradle assembly

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to textile fiber handling apparatus in the form of a cradle assembly used in the process of drafting textile fibers through the medium of an apron or aprons and particularly to a novel cradle assembly construction having side walls which seal the apron-holding pins and apron interior to prevent the accumulation of lint or fly within the aprons, about the rolls and along the pins on which the aprons ride. The cradle may be constructed in a unique manner which permits significant control of the tension in the lower apron.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Peter F. Gr'lshin P.O. Box 250, Sanford, N.C. 27330 [21] Appl. No. 814,882 [22] Filed Mar. 24, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [54] DRAFIING APRON CRADLE ASSEMBLY 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 19/255 511 lnt.Cl D01'h 5/88 [50] Field olSearch ..19/254, 255

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,240,670 9/1917 Casablancas 19/255 2,319,367 5/1943 Schlums 19/255 2,994,086 7/1961 Quaas l9/255 FORElGN PATENTS 405,713 9/1943 ltaly Primary ExaminerDorsey Newton Attorney-David Rabin ABSTRACT: This invention relates to textile fiber handling apparatus in the form of a cradle assembly used in the process of drafting textile fibers through the medium of an apron or aprons and particularly to a novel cradle assembly construction having side walls which seal the apron-holding pins and apron interior to prevent the accumulation of lint or fly within the aprons, about the rolls and along the pins on which the aprons ride. The cradle may be constructed in a unique manner which permits significant control of the tension in the lower apron.

Patented Aug. 24, 1971- INVENTOR.

PETER F. GRISHIN DRAFIIN G APRON CRADLE ASSEMBLY This is a continuation application of copending application Ser. No. 669,519, filed 21 Sept. 1967.

BACKGROUND, BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION In the drafting of textile fibers for the purpose of forming 'a spun yarn or roving of staple fibers, it is desirable to maintain a control over the fibers in the zone between the adjacent drafting rolls. In order to effect this control, it is conventional practice to employ an apron or aprons extending from the middle pair of rolls to a position adjacent the front pair of rolls, and several systems incorporating one or more aprons to maintain fiber control between the middle and front pair of rolls are in use.

A serious problem arising from the use of such systems is the accumulation of lint or fly within the apron and about the roll and/or apronholding pin on which the apron rides. This accumulation of lint causes variation in the drafting action due to the resulting change in spacing between the aprons as well as the effect change in size of the apron roll. Additionally, accumulations of lint on the apron roll and/or apron-holding pin cause the aprons in the fiber control zone to buckle or become distorted, and thus the control of fibers passing therethrough is naturally reduced.

In drafting systems employing apron devices such as the Casablancas assembly, it is quite difficult to maintain the apron supporting rolls and the zone within the apron clean and free of lint. In these systems there is provided an apron in the form of an endless belt which is carried on at least one roll and an apron-holding pin, and such systems often include a pair of apron arrangements, one above the other, which engage the roving or the like between their interfacing surfaces. It is readily apparent that the prevention of lint accumulation on the inner surface of the aprons or the apron-supporting rolls is particularly important since this accumulation might well tend to alter the drafting action.

To discourage lint accumulation along the inner surfaces of the aprons, it has been conventional practice to employ various configurations of cradle assemblies which partially enclose the aprons. Unfortunately, the particular constructions of cradles commonly used have several drawbacks and do not, as a rule, provide satisfactory results in preventing the accumulation of lint and the like. For example, all known cradle assemblies accommodate apron-holding pins at the forward portion within receiving slots so that portions of the pins extend outwardly from the cradle walls and collect lint and also allow lint to enter the cavity formed by the aprons, the rolls and the pll'lS.

Directly associated with the lint accumulation problem in apron assemblies is that of the apron becoming stretched and distorted because of lint which collects between the aprons and directly affects the drafting action. 1

Difficulty is oftentimes experienced in placing aprons in position to produce the requisite tension for certain spinning conditions because conventionally constructed devices are not physically susceptible to achieving a sufficiently high degree of tension due to the particular arrangements of the drafting rolls and cooperating apron pins.

The present invention is directed both to the problem of preventing lint and fiy accumulation as well as providing tension control means for the aprons themselves. Extremely efficient operation has been achieved by using a pair of parallel side plates which are connected together rearwardly of the drafting rolls, which connection will retain the plates in a spaced relation each with the other. The apron-holding pins, rather than being received in slots at the forward portion of the side plates that extend completely through those members are held in recessed grooves along the inside walls of each of the plates. Thus the pins are almost completely enclosed from any external exposure where lint and fly might become a problem. Another incorporated feature involves the shaping of the side plates to form a back roll-engaging surface so that the entire cradle assembly may be levered down and over the back drafting roll to tighten the bottom apron to a higher degree than that previously experienced in the art. Additionally, because of the'recessed grooves holding the apron pins, any number of pin configurations may be used to widen or restrict the distance between the upper apron pin and the lower apron pin thus positioning the top apron in closer or more remote proximity from the bottom apron depending upon the particular fiber characteristics pertaining at any time.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a cradle assembly which will tend to keep the apron supporting rolls and the interior portions of the aprons free of any substantial accumulationof lint.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cradle assembly which will allow greater control in the tensioning of the lower apron as well as concealing the nose pins to the extent that accumulation of lint and fly is minimized.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a cradle assembly which minimizes lint accumulation within the apron interior and provides'for desired position control of the apron in the fiber control area through the provision of components which serve to control the tension in the lower apron, and allow a predetermined spacing between the upper and lower apron pins to accommodate specific drafting needs.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a cradle assembly and method which will allow greater control in the tensioning of the lower apron even when conventional and exposed apron-holding pins are used.

Other objects and attendant advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment constructed according to the invention taken in conjunction with v the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts.

FIGURE DESCRIPTION lower drafting roll and upper and lower aprons disposed thereon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the parallel and connected sidewalls of a cradle assembly embodying the present invention particularly illustrating the recessed grooves on the interior walls of the front portions of these members which function to receive cooperatively the apron-holding pins.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cradle assembly embodying the present invention positioned over and about the bottom drafting roll to receive the top apron and the top drafting roll in the upper slots of the side members.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cradle assembly embodying the present invention positioned over the bottom drafting roll wherein the top drafting roll carrying the top apron is being urged into position within the upper slots of the sideplate of the assembly.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational sectional view of a cradle assembly embodying the present invention wherein the assembly is being urged downwardly over the lower drafting roll and guided thereon by the forwardly extending depending leg.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational sectional view of a cradle assembly in the fully assembled position with respect to the upper and lower drafting roll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION mally disposed in spaced relation preceding and subsequent to rolls l2 and 14.

Cradle assembly 10 as illustrated includes sideplates l6 and 18 which are connected by member 20 positioned on the lower edge of rear portion 22 (FIG. 2) of each of plates 16 and 18. Fiber control aprons 24 and 26 are each disposed about a portion of the peripheral surface of one of the drafting rolls l2 and 14 and extend outwardly from the roll surfaces toward a succeeding pair of rolls (not shown) to form contiguous interfacing apron fiber control runs 28 and 30. The direction of rotation of the upper roll 12 is counterclockwise (see arrow), and the direction of rotation of roll 14 is clockwise, whereby the fiber control runs 28 and 30 are pushed forward away from the nip formed between the rolls l2 and 14 to a location where the aprons form a projecting nose generally shown as 32. Apron-holding pins 34 and 35 are positioned one within each apron (see FIG. 6), and these pins cooperate with an associated roller 12 or 14 to tension each apron to a degree sufficient to allow its rotation in response to the rotation of the drafting roll and to facilitate control of the fibers between the aprons.

A number of pin-receiving recessed grooves 36, 38, 40 and 42 are formed in the interior walls of the front nose portions 48 and 50 of each of sideplates l6 and 18. These grooves cooperatively and releasably receiveeach of the pins 34 and 35 within the cooperating grooves 36 and 40 for top apron 24 and 38 and 42 for bottom apron 26 so that the forward portions 48 and 50 of sideplates l6 and 18 completely enclose the pins 34 and 35 and thus provide a suitable seal to preclude the accumulation of lint and fly within the interior of aprons 24 v and 26. Conventional cradle construction has usually included slots extendingthroughout the entire thickness of the front portion of each of sideplates so that segments of the nose pins extend outwardly through and from each of the plates thus allowing lint and fly to collect.

Sideplates 16 and 18 each have an upper draft roll-receiving slot 52 a lower draft roll-receiving slot 54 and a front nose portion previously indicated as 48 or 50. A reduced depending leg 56 formed forwardly of the lower drafting roll slot 54 which allows the cradle 10 to be levered over (see FIG. the back lower drafting roll 14 to tighten the bottom apron 26 to a higher degree than has previously been experienced in the art. By positioning the connecting member 20 rearwardly of drafting rolls 12 and 14 to connect side members 16 and 18 and maintain those members in a spaced relationship, no obstruction is presented between the drafting rolls and the pins 34 and 35 toprevent the levering of the cradle over the back lower drafting roll. While only a single connector 20 is illustrated, obviously any number of connections may be made to secure plates 16 and 18 in a spaced apart relationship so long as these connections are not between the drafting rolls and the pins 34 and 35 to interfere with the levering operation which allows greater tensioning of the lower apron.

As each of sideplates l6 and 18 has two open recessed slots 36 and 38 in plate 18 and 40 and 42 in plate 16, the distance between the pins 34 and 35 when positioned in these slots is determinedby their respective thickness as is best illustrated in FIG. 6. Note that the recesses in the embodiment illustrated are somewhat wider than the engaged portion 58 of pin 34, for as the aprons 24 and 26 rotate, they force the front of the pins 34 and 35 apart against the outer surfaces 60 and 62 of recesses 36 and 38 thus establishing the distance between pins 34 and 35 and the spacing of the interfacing aprons. Obviously, the cross-sectional configuration of, the pins may be varied to suit different requirements and the pins may be made of a variety of materials to provide the required degree of rigidity necessary for a particular application. Any number of recess configurations may be used to vary the spacing between the respective pins and the cross-sectional configuration of thetoppin need not be similar to that of the bottom pin. Any number of combinations of shapes may be used to suit requirements. For example, the pins 34 and 35 particularly illustrated in FIG. 6 are substantially rectangular in cross section with rounded edges which have been found to be particularly suitable for a great number of applications. However, the broken lines shown in FIG. 6 illustrate the contemplated use of lozenge-shaped slots or pins which will allow. pressure control between the aprons at the interfacing portions 28 and 30. Such an arrangement is desirable when there is a need for pressure exertion not only at the nose end but part way between the nose and the drafting roll The connecting member 20 is preferably of an adjustable type utilizing male or female complementary portions or other suitable substitutes because the present cradle assembly is used with a variety of apron widths. By having an adjustable connecting member, the same assembly 10 is therefore adaptable for various cradle widths so long as the connecting member 20 is positioned at the suitable width and secured by an adhesive or other appropriate means in the correct location. As a practical matter, the cradle sides 16 and 18 are preferably designed so that they are closer together at the front 32 than at the rear. Thus there isa tendency for the pins 34 and 35 to be retained between the sideplates, and the pins then have a tendency to force the sides 16 and 18 apart to a position where the sides are in fact parallel when in the running position. I

Assembly of the cradle assembly and aprons is accomplished by placing the bottom aprons 26 over the knurled portion 67 of the bottom drafting roll 14, passing the pin 35 through the apron 26, and then inserting pin 35 into grooves 38 and 42. The assembly 10 is then pressed into position over roll 14 which causes the apron 26 to be tightened by the interference between the leading edge 70 with the roll 14 which predetermines the distance between the center of roll and the front portion of the pin 35. Because the cradle can be levered onto the shaft 14, the amount of tension in the bottom apron can be controlled by selecting a desirable contour for leading edge 70 of the cradle. After the assembly 10 has been positioned over the bottom roll 14, the top apron is assembled by placing the apron 24. over the top drafting roll 12 and inserting the top pin 34 first through the apron'24 and then into the top grooves 36 and 40 and then forcing the top roll 12 into the roll receiving slots 52.

While the collection of lint and fly is a problem to which one portion of the present invention relates, a second part of the invention is directed to the manner of tensioning the bottom apron when using the existing cradle and pin assemblies. The

tensioning problem has been overcome by placing the cradle in position on the bottom drafting roll, inserting the pins through the aprons and securing them in the open slots in the cradle to establish the apron tension. The cradle of the present invention could be modified slightly to receive conventional pins in open slots in which case the apron tension is established by the action of inserting the pins through the aprons, securing them in the open slots and pressing the cradle onto the bottom roll.

Thus in the broadest sense, the present invention is directed to a drafting cradle apron assembly having a pair of parallel sideplates which are connected rearwardly of the drafting rolls and are maintained in a spaced relationship, an apron-holding pin cooperating with each of the aprons to maintain it in a tensioned, rotatable position about its associated drafting roll, and recessed grooves or conventional slots along the interior walls of the front portion of each sideplate which cooperatively and releasably receive the pins inside the parallel sideplates. The sidewalls have upper and lower draft roll-receiving slots, the lower slot of each partially defining a reduced depending leg which is contoured to engage the lower drafting roll as the apron is levered downwardly over that roll so that the tension in the lower apron is determined by the contour and disposi- 0r fly accumulation can be experienced along the aprons or extending pins. Additionally, greater tensioning is achieved in the aprons and particularly the lower apron by the particular configuration of the sidewall depending legs so that the cradle assembly can be urged downwardly to stretch the lower apron primarily because the sideplates are connected only rearwardly of the drafting rolls rather than between the rolls and the apron pins as has been conventionally the case.

I claim:

1. A drafting cradle apron assembly for use with upper and lower associated drafting rolls and in endless'fiber control flexible apron disposed about each of the associated rolls forming upper and lower movable aprons having fiber-engaging runs in contiguous relation with each other, said assembly comprising: a pair of sideplates, means connecting said sideplates rearwardly only of the drafting rolls and retaining said plates in fixed spaced relationship, and apron-holding means for each of said aprons maintaining said aprons in a tensioned condition about associated drafting rolls, said sideplates each having spaced-apart open end, individual recesses for slideably receiving and retaining said apron holding means, each of said recesses in sideplates extending only partially through sideplates.

2. A cradle assembly as claimed in claim 1, said apron-holding means including an apron-holding rectilinear pin.

3. A cradle assembly as claimed in claim 1, said sideplates having exterior and interior walls with said interior walls being opposed to each other, said recesses in said sideplates being positioned opposite each other.

4. A cradle assembly as claimed in claim 1, said apron-holding means including an apron-holding pin for each of the flexible aprons, and said apron-holding pins being cooperatively received in said recesses whereby the distance between each of said pins is determined by the cross-sectional configuration of said pins.

5. A cradle assembly as claimed in claim 1, each of said sideplates having upper and lower associated drafting rollreceiving slots, and at least one of said sideplates having a contoured camming edge cooperating with and leading into a lower roll-receiving slot whereby the cradle assembly may be lowered from an unseated to a seated position on the lower roll to tension an apron while said apron is supported on the bottom roll and by one of said apron-holding means. 

1. A drafting cradle apron assembly for use with upper and lower associated drafting rolls and in endless fiber control flexible apron disposed about each of the associated rolls forming upper and lower movable aprons having fiber-engaging runs in contiguous relation with each other, said assembly comprising: a pair of sideplates, means connecting said sideplates rearwardly only of the drafting rolls and retaining said plates in fixed spaced relationship, and apron-holding means for each of said aprons maintaining said aprons in a tensioned condition about associated drafting rolls, said sideplates each having spaced-apart open end, individual recesses for slideably receiving and retaining said apron holding means, each of said recesses in sideplates extending only partially through sideplates.
 2. A cradle assembly as claimed in claim 1, said apron-holding means including an apron-holding rectilinear pin.
 3. A cradle assembly as claimed in claim 1, said sideplates having exterior and interior walls with said interior walls being opposed to each other, said recesses in said sideplates being positioned opposite each other.
 4. A cradle assembly as claimed in claim 1, said apron-holding means including an apron-holding pin for each of the flexible aprons, and said apron-holding pins being cooperatively received in said recesses whereby the distance between each of said pins is determined by the cross-sectional configuration of said pins.
 5. A cradle assembly as claimed in claim 1, each of said sideplates having upper and lower associated drafting roll-receiving slots, and at least one of said sideplates having a contoured camming edge cooperating with and leading into a lower roll-receiving slot whereby the cradle assembly may be lowered from an unseated to a seated position on the lower roll to tension an apron while said apron is supported on the bottom roll and by one of said apron-holding means. 